Official Opening of PCCC Building

We are home!

 A very good day to all our members! We are finally home after 32 years.

 A very good morning to our Honorable Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Mr.Lim Guan Eng;

YBhg Dato’ Lim Kok Cheong, JP, President of The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM);

Executive Adviser of Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC),  YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Tan Kok Ping, JP;

Distinguished guests, fellow members of the Chinese Chambers of Commerce, members of the media; Ladies & Gentlemen.

First of all, I would like to extend my highest gratitude to our Chief Minister, YAB Mr.Lim Guan Eng, for taking his invaluable time to attend & officiate today’s Opening Ceremony despite his tight & busy schedule.

 I would also like to extend my deepest appreciation to the President of ACCCIM, YBhg Dato’ Lim Kok Cheong, JP, and to the respective presidents & representatives of various Chinese Chambers of Commerce around the country for taking time and making effort to be with us today. Your kind presence and attendance bring much joy & delight to our celebration.

 Without forgetting to thank our esteemed guests & fellow members of PCCC who have been supporting us all these while. Your participation and involvement are greatly appreciated and on behalf of the General Committee, I sincerely extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you.

Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce was established in 1903, making it the earliest Chinese business organisations in Malaysia & Singapore. Ever since its establishment, the Chamber has been leading the Chinese Business Communities in Penang and this year marks its 112^th Anniversary.

When the Chamber was first founded, it has no office or base of its own. Until 1918, after several shifting of places, PCCC finally settled with its own premises. Hence, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our predecessors, without whom, the Chamber building would not have been in existence today.

In 1983, the Chamber's office was then moved to the 9^th floor of the Chinese Town Hall, as stipulated in the memorandum between Chinese Town Hall and PCCC. According to the said memorandum, the Chamber had raised RM1 million to finance the construction of the Chinese Town Hall and in return be granted the permanent right to use the office floor.

 It was during the preparation of our 110^th Anniversary celebration in 2013, our Chamber's Executive Adviser, YBhg Tan Sri Dato' Seri Tan Kok Ping then proposed to the Chamber's Committee for a restoration and makeover of the historical building, in line with Georgetown's status as the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage City.

The expenses of the restoration & makeover of the Chamber's building largely came from the efforts of the General Committee of the Chamber.

 This building, being a landmark in this city, will stand to witness the continuous growth & transformation of Georgetown and serves as a beacon of pioneering spirit of the Chamber's tenacity & dedication to the Chinese business communities.

By and large, it also symbolizes the significant contributions of the Chinese businessmen towards the social, economical & cultural growth and development of Penang and the Nation.

The theme of today's celebration is “Homecoming”.

In conjunction with that, we are holding  Members’ Day, in order for all our members to get together in this newly restored home.

We hope that this historical building will serve as a platform for all of us to gather, to learn and to interact with one another, and together we shall make this home, our home, a fortress to protect the rights of the Chinese business communities.

Thank you.